Dear AGW members and friends,
It has been some time since the last AGW newsletter, so much has taken place and please enjoy reading.
Jeremy Chapman Awarded Life Membership of the AGW
The AGW had the pleasure in proudly honouring Jeremy Chapman with Life Membership of the Association.
Jeremy joined the AGW in 1975 making him one of the more senior members of the AGW.
The Association chose the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth to ‘surprise’ Jeremy and though he had an inkling something was going to take place, it is with thanks to his wife, Christa that our Chairman Martin Dempster could reveal to all those present at Tour HQ of this special and most deserving of awards to Jeremy.
Jeremy’s honour follows just a few months after the Association’s historic move in affording Liz Khan, Lewine Mair and Nuria Pastor – the first women to be afforded such an honour.
Please go to the AGWs website for a full report of Jeremy’s Life Membership honour – https://www.agwgolf.org/jeremy-chapman-awarded-life-membershio/
Congratulations Jeremy from all your friends at the Association, and thank you Christa for your support … Bernie
Kirwan Captures Historic AGW Golfing First
Denis Kirwan’s decision to travel from his home in Ireland to tee-up in the closing two events of the 2022 ETIQUS – AGW golfing season was richly rewarded in becoming the first Irish-born to win the annual ‘Race to Hoylake’ honours.
Denis put himself in contention for the ‘Race to Hoylake’ honours in winning the Renton Laidlaw Quaich at Crail on the eve of the 150th Open Championship.
And in making the enormous effort to journey to Wallasey and Royal Liverpool, Denis returned home with a stunning new ETIQUS wrist watch and the gleaming DeVere trophy for the Golfer of the Year.
A full Royal Liverpool report, and with thanks to AGW Golf Captain Peter Dixon can be found on the AGW website by clicking on:
And in clicking on this website members will find a full list of those who teed-up in the 2022 AGW golfing season and the points they attained.
Colin Harding Makes It Back-To-Back AGW Wins
Colin Harding made it back-to-back AGW golfing victories in retaining the Michael Williams Hogget following his win earlier in the year at The Belfry and then headed to Wallasey Golf Club to capture the Ron Moseley Memorial Salver in his very next event.
In fact, it is also the second occasion Colin has won the Ron Moseley following his victory in 1996.
Colin tamed the tough conditions to win by a point from Denis Kirwan.
Please click on this link for a full report: https://www.agwgolf.org/harding-captures-2022-ron-moseley-at-wallasey/
Davies Also Savours Historic AGW Golf First – Five Golf Writers Championship Victories.
Patricia Davies has also put her name into AGW golfing history becoming the first member to capture five Golf Writers Championships.
Patricia braved the worse of the weather at Royal Liverpool to capture the Fred Pignon trophy also for a second time in five years, and also now having won the AGWs premier event in four different decades – 1991, 1992, 2002, 2018 and now 2022.
Patricia had been tied with Derek Lawrenson on four wins a piece and with her 32 points good enough to make if five victories.
SPECIAL THANK YOU – From all the members of the AGW our special thanks at the end of another highly-successful AGW golfing season to Peter Dixon for his tireless arrangements.
AGW Annual Diary – To Be Discontinued
The AGW committee has voted due to increasing costs to cease production of the annual AGW diary.
I would like to thank all those members who responded to a survey to obtain views on the worth of continuing with the diary and while the vote was pretty much split down the middle, it was disappointing only a few dozen members chosen to respond.
However, members can be assured for the foreseeable future the AGW handbook, bearing member/golf media contact information, will continue whether in hard copy or possibly in coming years to a computerised format.
Neil Ahern Ends His Work at the European Tour
The AGW formally reached out to Neil Ahern, senior press and communications officer at the European Tour who has now moved to work at the Azalea Group, and get to spend more time with his young family.
Neil spent 11-years at the Tour getting to know, and also becoming good friends with many AGW members and in replying to emails from both the AGW Chairman and the Secretary, Neil spoke of being honoured to work with members of the Association, his ‘massive respect’ for the work undertaken by the media and the friendships he hopes to continue to maintain in his new role.
It was also over the past few years, and with the slow lifting of lockdown measures that the Tour’s media team have worked closer with the Association than probably ever before and with many members continue to benefit financially from the continuing ‘player quotes’ arrangement brought in during the recent pandemic.
The AGW arranged for one of our famed hampers to be delivered to Neil as a small token of the Association’s thanks.
Neil indicated if any member wish to contact him they can via email at – email hidden; JavaScript is required while his mobile number remains the same – +44 (0) 7880 60 1007
AGW Member – Change of Contact Details/Time To Advise of any changes
With the 2023 AGW members handbook soon to go to print, it’s a good time for members who have changed their address and/or phone to advise the Secretary of the changes.
Alistair Tait has a new address and delighted, he says, to be moving back to Scotland:
13 Old School House
Upper Allan Street
Blairgowrie. PH10 6FG
Perthshire, Scotland
New AGW Members
The AGW is delighted to welcome two new members and they are Spencer Robinson and Louis Dong Hoon.
Many will know Spencer who the Chief Communications Officer with the Asian Golf Industry Federation while Louis, who is not as well-known but still attends the majors, is the golf correspondent for AJN News Corporation.
It is a first in AGW history with the new members based in Asia – Spencer in Singapore and Louis in Seoul.
As well, the AGW no sooner had advised Louis of his membership confirmation when we also reached out in a second email expressing our concerns that the events in Seoul, and as tragic as they were, did not affect he or his family. In reply Louis penned a lovely email also reflecting his delight in now being a member of the Association.
I am sure Louis will not mind me sharing his email with his now fellow members: “Young flowers fell and stepped on. It’s sad and tragic. I am in Thailand for AAC and WAAP. I’m spending the day quietly today with the news of my home country from far away. I am proud to be a member of AGW. Many thanks, Louis.
Just a note – If any member works with a colleague who you think may meet the requirements in becoming a member of the Association please do get in touch with me and I can arrange the necessary paperwork.
AGW Chairman’s Visit to Rome Ryder Cup Venue
As is customary every two years, the AGW is represented at the ‘One Year to Go’ Ryder Cup cerebrations and with AGW Chairman Martin Dempster travelling to Rome to join others inspecting the Marco Simone host course and to the media hotel accommodation.
Martin has prepared a lengthy report from the visit and you will find it accompanying this newsletter.
It is recommended those who will be attending the Ryder Cup later next year read his report.
James Nursey – Superb Open Championship Tale
It has been some time since James emailed me so my apologies in taking all this time to share a tale surfacing via a photograph of Seve in the official programme for the 150th Open.
The image (see below) in the Open programme bought back a stack of fond memories for former Norfolk amateur scratch champion Chris Lamb, who was blissfully unaware of the picture.
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